# The X Factor (New Zealand TV series) series 1

The first series of the New Zealand television reality music competition The X Factor premiered on TV3 on 21 April 2013 and ended on 22 July 2013. The show was open to singers aged 14 and over. The contestants were split into the show's four traditional categories: Boys, Girls, Over 25s and Groups.
The winner was 22-year-old Greymouth singer Jackie Thomas, and her winner's single, "It's Worth It", was released the day of the final. As the winner, Thomas received a Sony Music Entertainment New Zealand recording contract and a new car. Runners-up Whenua Patuwai and Benny Tipene each released a single via Sony. Fourth-place-getters Moorhouse were also signed to Sony Music New Zealand, with plans for an album release by Christmas 2013.
The series was hosted by Dominic Bowden. Recording artists Melanie Blatt, Stan Walker, Ruby Frost and Daniel Bedingfield were the show's four judges. Auckland student Georgie Wright was selected from over 100 applicants to present the show's behind-the-scenes video blog Samsung Insider.
The initial pre-audition tour of 27 towns and cities was held in January and early February 2013, with the judges auditions round filmed in late February and early March, and the bootcamp filmed in mid-March in Auckland. The series screened on Sunday and Monday evenings.

## Development

The X Factor was created by Simon Cowell in the United Kingdom and the New Zealand version is based on the original British series. TV3 initially purchased the rights to produce a local version of The X Factor in 2010. In September 2012, TV3 finally confirmed that the show would begin production in early 2013. Broadcast funding agency NZ On Air confirmed they would contribute $1.6 million as a minority investor, for the production of 30 episodes of 60 minutes duration each.
The series was co-produced by MediaWorks and FremantleMedia Australia. The show's key sponsors were Ford New Zealand as broadcast sponsor, Samsung Electronics as technology partner with McDonald's and Coca-Cola as programme partners.

## Judges and host

In November 2012, Australian Idol winner and recording artist, Stan Walker, was announced as the first judge. In December 2012, Daniel Bedingfield was announced as the second judge. The following month, former All Saints member, Melanie Blatt, and Ruby Frost were confirmed as the final two judges.
In October 2012 Dominic Bowden was confirmed as the host.

## Selection process
### Pre-auditions

The first appeal for applicants was made on 11 November 2012, with the announcement of the application process and the pre-audition tour details. Pre-auditions in front of the show's producers began on 5 January 2013 and continued through 27 towns and cities across New Zealand. More than 6,000 contestants auditioned, and were either rejected outright with a "no" response or considered for the next round with a "maybe" response.
| Audition city/town | Dates | Venue |
| Queenstown | 5 January 2013 | Performing Arts Centre |
| Invercargill | 6 January 2013 | Southland Girls' High School |
| Dunedin | 7 January 2013 | Logan Park High School |
| Oamaru | 8 January 2013 | Oamaru Opera House |
| Timaru | 9 January 2013 | West End Hall |
| Greymouth | 11 January 2013 | Regent Cinema |
| Christchurch | 12–13 January 2013 | Addington Raceway |
| Nelson | 15 January 2013 | Nelson School of Music |
| Blenheim | 16 January 2013 | Marlborough Girls' College |
| Wellington | 18 January 2013 | Wellington High School |
| Kāpiti | 19 January 2013 | Kāpiti College |
| Wanganui | 20 January 2013 | Wanganui War Memorial Hall |
| Palmerston North | 21 January 2013 | Awapuni Racecourse |
| Masterton | 22 January 2013 | Masterton Town Hall |
| Napier | 23 January 2013 | East Pier |
| Gisborne | 25 January 2013 | Lawson Field Theatre |
| Tauranga | 26 January 2013 | 16th Ave Theatre |
| Rotorua | 27 January 2013 | John Paul College |
| Taupō | 28 January 2013 | The Great Lake Centre |
| Hamilton | 29 January 2013 | The Meteor |
| Tairua | 30 January 2013 | Tairua Community Hall |
| South Auckland | 1 February 2013 | Manukau Institute of Technology |
| Auckland Central | 2 February 2013 | TAPAC |
| New Plymouth | 3 February 2013 | New Plymouth Girls' High School |
| Whangārei | 4 February 2013 | The Pulse |
| Kerikeri | 5 February 2013 | Kingston House |
| Kaitaia | 6 February 2013 | Te Ahu Community Hall |

### Judges' auditions

The auditionees chosen by the producers were invited back to the last set of auditions that took place in front of the judges and a live studio audience. These auditions were filmed at Skycity Theatre in Auckland from 26 February to 3 March and broadcast from 21 to 29 April. The 120 successful contestants then progressed to the bootcamp round.
* Auditions 1 (21 April 2013) Special appearance: Ronan Keating Featured successful auditionees: Finlay Robertson, Nick Van de Vlierd, Aotea Beazley, The Steamrollers, Benny Tipene, Maaka Fiso, Meryl Cassie, Madeline Bradley, William Tokelau and Te Ao Te Huia.
* Auditions 2 (22 April 2013) Special appearance: Topp Twins Featured successful auditionees: Franko Heke, Ashley Tonga, L.O.V.E, The Talent, Voltech, Gap5, Fletcher Mills, Cameron Luxton, Jessie Matthews, Tia Hunt, Cameron Rota, Sam Yeoward and Renee Maurice.
* Auditions 3 (28 April 2013) Featured successful auditionees: Taiaroa Neho, Alex Familton, Anabac, Liam Kennedy-Clark, Eden Roberts, Tjay Faaosofia, Vasa Faaosofia, Cassie Henderson, Tom Batchelor, Oriana Faaumu and Bryan Townley.
* Auditions 4 (29 April 2013) Featured successful auditionees: 3rd Watch, Shaan Singh, Taye Williams, Anna Wilson, Brianna Phillips, Jordan Edwards, Fadzai Paradza, Sorelle, Finley Brentwood, Preeti Narayan, Puhi Tau, Phebe Martin-Holgate, Sharaine Barrett, Hannah Cosgrove, Jasmyn Kereama, Khona Va’aga-Gray, Esther Crispin, Whenua Patuwai, Tania Pari, Moorhouse and Jackie Thomas.

#### Fast Ford Boot Camp

The Edge radio station and series sponsor Ford held a second-chance competition called Fast Ford Boot Camp. Chosen from video auditions, five acts attended the week-long Fast Ford Boot Camp in Auckland before auditioning in front of three X Factor judges live on The Edge's breakfast show on 15 March. From there, singers Geordie Meade, Meghan Fraser and Grace Ikenasio were chosen by the judges to continue to the X Factor bootcamp round.

### Bootcamp

The bootcamp round was filmed at Vector Arena in Auckland from 16 to 21 March and broadcast on 5 and 6 May. Contestants were given two performance challenges. On the first day, the 120 contestants were split into the four category groups - Boys, Girls, Over 25s and Groups. Acts in each category were given one song to sing: "Come On Home" (Boys), "Firework" (Girls), "Iris" (Over 25s) and "Man in the Mirror" (Groups). Contestants were aided by vocal coach Turanga Merito and choreographer Emma McLachlan. After the performances, the judges sent home half the acts. On the second day, the remaining 60 acts were put into ensembles and chose a song which they had to learn and perform for the judges. From the bootcamp, 24 successful acts (six in each category) progressed to the judges' retreats round. Rejected soloists Sam Yeoward and Cameron Rota from the Boys category and former 3rd Watch member Peniamina Sofai were brought back by judges and asked to form a group. This group was named The Young Project (TYP).
The elimination of popular contestant Jackie Thomas, who had performed poorly at bootcamp, stirred debate amongst viewers. A Facebook group was formed urging the show to bring her back, while Birdy's 2011 recording of Jackie's audition song "Skinny Love" entered the New Zealand charts, peaking at number 2. At judges' retreats, Daniel Bedingfield made the decision to bring back Jackie to join the six girls at his retreat.
The 25 successful acts were:
* Boys: Tom Batchelor, Liam Kennedy-Clark, Fletcher Mills, Taiaroa Neho, Whenua Patuwai, Benny Tipene
* Girls: Aotea Beazley, Madeline Bradley, Oriana Faaumu, Cassie Henderson, Eden Roberts, Finlay Robertson, Jackie Thomas
* Over 25s: Maaka Fiso, Grace Ikenasio, Jessie Matthews, Bryan Townley, Taye Williams, Anna Wilson
* Groups: Anabac, Gap5, L.O.V.E, Moorhouse, Voltech, The Young Project (TYP)

### Judges' retreats

The judges retreats episodes were filmed over the month of April in locations in New Zealand, the Cook Islands and Australia. The judges received news of their categories from the show's producer via telephone, seen during the second bootcamp episode on 6 May. Daniel Bedingfield also brought previously eliminated contestant Jackie Thomas back to the Girls category. Bedingfield mentored the Girls in Rarotonga, assisted by his sister Natasha Bedingfield; Blatt joined the Groups at Mahurangi with S Club 7 member Rachel Stevens; Frost took the Boys to Sydney, assisted by former Australian X Factor judge Guy Sebastian; and Walker had the Over 25s in Queenstown with New Zealand singer Hollie Smith. Each act performed one song for their mentor and assistant. The judges then selected their top three contestants, which make up the final 12 and progressed to the live shows.
At the end of judges' retreats, it was announced that each judge could bring one further act back as a wildcard. The public then voted for which of the four wildcards would become the 13th finalist. This left one judge with an extra act. Fletcher Mills was revealed as the winner on 14 May. The show's producers had originally intended for the wildcard to be announced on the first live show on 19 May, but after judge Melanie Blatt mistakenly tweeted the news on 14 May, the official announcement was made early.
Key:
    – Wildcard Winner
Summary of judges' retreats :
| Judge | Category | Location | Assistant | Acts eliminated | Wildcards |
| Bedingfield | Girls | Rarotonga | Natasha Bedingfield | Madeline Bradley, Oriana Faaumu, Finlay Robertson | Aotea Beazley |
| Blatt | Groups | Mahurangi | Rachel Stevens | Anabac, Voltech | The Young Project (TYP) |
| Frost | Boys | Sydney | Guy Sebastian | Liam Kennedy-Clark, Taiaroa Neho | Fletcher Mills |
| Walker | Over 25s | Queenstown | Hollie Smith | Jessie Matthews, Bryan Townley | Grace Ikenasio |

## Contestants

Key:
    – Winner
    – Runner-Up
    – Third Place
| Category (mentor) | Acts | Acts | Acts | Acts |
| Boys (Frost) | Tom Batchelor | Fletcher Mills | Whenua Patuwai | Benny Tipene |
| Girls (Bedingfield) | Cassie Henderson | Eden Roberts | Jackie Thomas | |
| Over 25s (Walker) | Maaka Fiso | Taye Williams | Anna Wilson | |
| Groups (Blatt) | Gap5 | L.O.V.E | Moorhouse | |

## Live shows

The live shows began on 19 May and were filmed at Auckland Film Studios in Henderson, Auckland. The shows were simulcast on national radio network More FM.

### Results summary
#### Colour key

    – Act in the bottom two and had to perform in the final showdown
    – Act was in the bottom three but received the fewest votes and was immediately eliminated
    – Act received the lowest number of public votes and was immediately eliminated (no final showdown)
Weekly results per act :
| Act | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Quarter-Final | Semi-Final | Final | Final |
| Act | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Quarter-Final | Semi-Final | First Monday Vote | Second Monday Vote |
| Jackie Thomas | 2nd | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 4th | 1st | 1st | 2nd | 1st | Winner 46.4% |
| Whenua Patuwai | 3rd | 2nd | 2nd | 2nd | 4th | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 3rd | 2nd | Runner-Up 35.7% |
| Benny Tipene | 4th | 3rd | 3rd | 4th | 6th | 6th | 2nd | 3rd | 1st | 3rd 17.9% | Eliminated (Final) |
| Moorhouse | 5th | 4th | 10th | 6th | 2nd | 1st | 4th | 2nd | 4th | Eliminated (Semi-Final) | Eliminated (Semi-Final) |
| Cassie Henderson | 8th | 8th | 5th | 5th | 3rd | 3rd | 5th | 5th | Eliminated (Quarter-Final) | Eliminated (Quarter-Final) | Eliminated (Quarter-Final) |
| Gap5 | 7th | 6th | 4th | 9th | 8th | 5th | 6th | Eliminated (Week 7) | Eliminated (Week 7) | Eliminated (Week 7) | Eliminated (Week 7) |
| Tom Batchelor | 9th | 9th | 6th | 3rd | 5th | 7th | Eliminated (Week 6) | Eliminated (Week 6) | Eliminated (Week 6) | Eliminated (Week 6) | Eliminated (Week 6) |
| Anna Wilson | 6th | 5th | 7th | 7th | 7th | Eliminated (Week 5) | Eliminated (Week 5) | Eliminated (Week 5) | Eliminated (Week 5) | Eliminated (Week 5) | Eliminated (Week 5) |
| Maaka Fiso | 1st | 7th | 8th | 8th | Eliminated (Week 4) | Eliminated (Week 4) | Eliminated (Week 4) | Eliminated (Week 4) | Eliminated (Week 4) | Eliminated (Week 4) | Eliminated (Week 4) |
| Fletcher Mills | 10th | 10th | 9th | 10th | Eliminated (Week 4) | Eliminated (Week 4) | Eliminated (Week 4) | Eliminated (Week 4) | Eliminated (Week 4) | Eliminated (Week 4) | Eliminated (Week 4) |
| L.O.V.E | 13th | 11th | 11th | Eliminated (Week 3) | Eliminated (Week 3) | Eliminated (Week 3) | Eliminated (Week 3) | Eliminated (Week 3) | Eliminated (Week 3) | Eliminated (Week 3) | Eliminated (Week 3) |
| Taye Williams | 11th | 12th | Eliminated (Week 2) | Eliminated (Week 2) | Eliminated (Week 2) | Eliminated (Week 2) | Eliminated (Week 2) | Eliminated (Week 2) | Eliminated (Week 2) | Eliminated (Week 2) | Eliminated (Week 2) |
| Eden Roberts | 12th | Eliminated (Week 1) | Eliminated (Week 1) | Eliminated (Week 1) | Eliminated (Week 1) | Eliminated (Week 1) | Eliminated (Week 1) | Eliminated (Week 1) | Eliminated (Week 1) | Eliminated (Week 1) | Eliminated (Week 1) |
| Final Showdown | Eden Roberts | Taye Williams | L.O.V.E | Maaka Fiso | Gap5 | Tom Batchelor | Gap5 | Whenua Patuwai | No bottom two/judges' vote; public votes alone decide who is eliminated | No bottom two/judges' vote; public votes alone decide who is eliminated | No bottom two/judges' vote; public votes alone decide who is eliminated |
| Final Showdown | L.O.V.E | L.O.V.E | Moorhouse | Gap5 | Anna Wilson | Benny Tipene | Cassie Henderson | Cassie Henderson | No bottom two/judges' vote; public votes alone decide who is eliminated | No bottom two/judges' vote; public votes alone decide who is eliminated | No bottom two/judges' vote; public votes alone decide who is eliminated |
| Bedingfield's vote to eliminate | L.O.V.E | Williams | L.O.V.E | Fiso | Wilson | Batchelor | Gap5 | Patuwai | No bottom two/judges' vote; public votes alone decide who is eliminated | No bottom two/judges' vote; public votes alone decide who is eliminated | No bottom two/judges' vote; public votes alone decide who is eliminated |
| Frost's vote to eliminate | Eoberts | L.O.V.E | — | Fiso | Wilson | None (abstained) | Gap5 | Henderson | No bottom two/judges' vote; public votes alone decide who is eliminated | No bottom two/judges' vote; public votes alone decide who is eliminated | No bottom two/judges' vote; public votes alone decide who is eliminated |
| Walker's vote to eliminate | Roberts | L.O.V.E | L.O.V.E | Gap5 | Gap5 | Batchelor | Gap5 | Henderson | No bottom two/judges' vote; public votes alone decide who is eliminated | No bottom two/judges' vote; public votes alone decide who is eliminated | No bottom two/judges' vote; public votes alone decide who is eliminated |
| Blatt's vote to eliminate | Roberts | Williams | None (abstained) | Fiso | Wilson | Tipene | Henderson | Patuwai | No bottom two/judges' vote; public votes alone decide who is eliminated | No bottom two/judges' vote; public votes alone decide who is eliminated | No bottom two/judges' vote; public votes alone decide who is eliminated |
| Eliminated | Eden Roberts 3 of 4 votes Majority | Taye Williams 2 of 4 votes Deadlock | L.O.V.E 2 of 2 votes Majority | Fletcher Mills Public vote to save | Anna Wilson 3 of 4 votes Majority | Tom Batchelor 2 of 3 votes Majority | Gap5 3 of 4 votes Majority | Cassie Henderson 2 of 4 votes Deadlock | Moorhouse Public vote to save | Benny Tipene Public vote to win | Whenua Patuwai Public vote to win |
| Eliminated | Eden Roberts 3 of 4 votes Majority | Taye Williams 2 of 4 votes Deadlock | L.O.V.E 2 of 2 votes Majority | Maaka Fiso 3 of 4 votes Majority | Anna Wilson 3 of 4 votes Majority | Tom Batchelor 2 of 3 votes Majority | Gap5 3 of 4 votes Majority | Cassie Henderson 2 of 4 votes Deadlock | Moorhouse Public vote to save | Benny Tipene Public vote to win | Whenua Patuwai Public vote to win |

### Live show details
#### Week 1 (19/20 May)

* Theme: Number-one singles
* Musical guests: Willy Moon ("Yeah Yeah") and Ruby Frost ("Volition")
Acts' performances on the first live show :
| Act | Category (mentor) | Order | Song | Result |
| Gap5 | Groups (Blatt) | 1 | "Hollaback Girl" | Safe |
| Benny Tipene | Boys (Frost) | 2 | "Crazy" | Safe |
| Jackie Thomas | Girls (Bedingfield) | 3 | "Video Games" | Safe |
| Taye Williams | Over 25s (Walker) | 4 | "Breakeven" | Safe |
| Tom Batchelor | Boys (Frost) | 5 | "Mercy" | Safe |
| Eden Roberts | Girls (Bedingfield) | 6 | "Jolene" | Bottom Two |
| Whenua Patuwai | Boys (Frost) | 7 | "Rolling in the Deep" | Safe |
| Cassie Henderson | Girls (Bedingfield) | 8 | "I Want You Back" | Safe |
| Anna Wilson | Over 25s (Walker) | 9 | "Landslide" | Safe |
| L.O.V.E | Groups (Blatt) | 10 | "Rapture" | Bottom Two |
| Maaka Fiso | Over 25s (Walker) | 11 | "Titanium" | Safe |
| Fletcher Mills | Boys (Frost) | 12 | "Paradise" | Safe |
| Moorhouse | Groups (Blatt) | 13 | "Boyfriend" | Safe |
| Final showdown details |||||
| Act | Category (mentor) | Order | Song | Result |
| Eden Roberts | Girls (Bedingfield) | 1 | (original) | Eliminated |
| L.O.V.E | Groups (Blatt) | 2 | (original) | Safe |

##### Judges' vote to eliminate

* Bedingfield: L.O.V.E - backed his own act, Eden Roberts.
* Blatt: Eden Roberts - backed her own act, L.O.V.E.
* Frost: Eden Roberts - felt L.O.V.E were more entertaining.
* Walker: Eden Roberts - felt that Roberts had received all the exposure she needed from the show.

#### Week 2 (26/27 May)

* Theme: New Zealand music
* Musical guests: Annabel Fay ("Warrior") and Smashproof ("Paint Fade")
Acts' performances on the second live show :
| Act | Category (mentor) | Order | Song | New Zealand artist | Result |
| Taye Williams | Over 25s (Walker) | 1 | "Settle Down" | Kimbra | Bottom Two |
| L.O.V.E | Groups (Blatt) | 2 | "How Bizarre" / "Push It" | OMC | Bottom Two |
| Tom Batchelor | Boys (Frost) | 3 | "Slice of Heaven" | Dave Dobbyn | Safe |
| Jackie Thomas | Girls (Bedingfield) | 4 | "Maybe Tomorrow" | Goldenhorse | Safe |
| Whenua Patuwai | Boys (Frost) | 5 | "Bathe In the River" | Mt Preservation Society featuring Hollie Smith | Safe |
| Anna Wilson | Over 25s (Walker) | 6 | "Deciphering Me" | Brooke Fraser | Safe |
| Moorhouse | Groups (Blatt) | 7 | "Why Does Love Do This To Me" | The Exponents | Safe |
| Fletcher Mills | Boys (Frost) | 8 | "Sway" | Bic Runga | Safe |
| Maaka Fiso | Over 25s (Walker) | 9 | "Don't Forget Your Roots" | Six60 | Safe |
| Benny Tipene | Boys (Frost) | 10 | "Not Given Lightly" | Chris Knox | Safe |
| Gap5 | Groups (Blatt) | 11 | "Royals" / "You're the Voice" | Lorde | Safe |
| Cassie Henderson | Girls (Bedingfield) | 12 | "Something in the Water" | Brooke Fraser | Safe |
| Final showdown details ||||||
| Act | Category (mentor) | Order | Song | Song | Result |
| Taye Williams | Over 25s (Walker) | 1 | "Forget You" | "Forget You" | Eliminated |
| L.O.V.E | Groups (Blatt) | 2 | "Swing" | "Swing" | Safe |
* ↑ Judge Mel Blatt explained the inclusion of a song by American rappers Salt-n-Pepa by joking that "Pepa's great-grandmother was [a Kiwi]"."THE X FACTOR episode 11". TV3. Archived from the original on 2013-06-15. Retrieved 2013-05-26.
* ↑ Blatt also explained the inclusion of a song by Australian singer John Farnham by joking that Farnham had "a great grandma or great grandpa who was Kiwi.""THE X FACTOR episode 11". TV3. Archived from the original on 2013-06-15. Retrieved 2013-05-26.

##### Judges' vote to eliminate

* Blatt: Taye Williams - backed her own act, L.O.V.E.
* Walker: L.O.V.E - backed his own act, Taye Williams.
* Bedingfield: Taye Williams - gave no reason.
* Frost: L.O.V.E - felt she could see Williams as a recording artist.
With the acts in the bottom two receiving two votes each, the result went to deadlock and reverted to the earlier public vote. Taye Williams was eliminated as the act with the fewest public votes.

#### Week 3 (2/3 June)

* Theme: Best of British
* Musical guests: Stan Walker ("Bulletproof") and Joseph & Maia ("Nothing I Can Do")
Acts' performances on the third live show :
| Act | Category (mentor) | Order | Song | British Artist | Result |
| Whenua Patuwai | Boys (Frost) | 1 | "Somebody to Love" | Queen | Safe |
| Moorhouse | Groups (Blatt) | 2 | "Every Breath You Take" | The Police | Bottom Two |
| Cassie Henderson | Girls (Bedingfield) | 3 | "Unwritten" | Natasha Bedingfield | Safe |
| Fletcher Mills | Boys (Frost) | 4 | "Your Song" | Elton John | Safe |
| Gap5 | Groups (Blatt) | 5 | "Pure Shores" | All Saints | Safe |
| Tom Batchelor | Boys (Frost) | 6 | "Come Together" | The Beatles | Safe |
| Maaka Fiso | Over 25s (Walker) | 7 | "The Scientist" | Coldplay | Safe |
| L.O.V.E | Groups (Blatt) | 8 | "Pass Out" | Tinie Tempah | Bottom Two |
| Jackie Thomas | Girls (Bedingfield) | 9 | "Dreams" | Fleetwood Mac | Safe |
| Benny Tipene | Boys (Frost) | 10 | "This Charming Man" | The Smiths | Safe |
| Anna Wilson | Over 25s (Walker) | 11 | "Mama Do (Uh Oh, Uh Oh)" | Pixie Lott | Safe |
| Final showdown details ||||||
| Act | Category (mentor) | Order | Song | Song | Result |
| L.O.V.E | Groups (Blatt) | 1 | "No Scrubs" | "No Scrubs" | Eliminated |
| Moorhouse | Groups (Blatt) | 2 | "With or Without You" | "With or Without You" | Safe |

##### Judges' vote to eliminate

* Blatt refused to send home either of her acts.
* Walker: L.O.V.E - felt they had a lot of fight in them and would do well after the show.
* Bedingfield: L.O.V.E - felt whatever happened would be good for them.
* Frost was not required to vote since there was already a majority.

#### Week 4 (9/10 June)

* Theme: Soul classics
* Musical guests: Titanium ("Tattoo") and Aaradhna ("You Don't Love Me Anymore")
* Two acts were eliminated from the fourth results show.
Acts' performances on the fourth live show :
| Act | Category (mentor) | Order | Song | Result |
| Maaka Fiso | Over 25s (Walker) | 1 | "Never Too Much" | Bottom Three |
| Benny Tipene | Boys (Frost) | 2 | "Sexual Healing" | Safe |
| Anna Wilson | Over 25s (Walker) | 3 | "At Last" | Safe |
| Gap5 | Groups (Blatt) | 4 | "Mr. Big Stuff" | Bottom Three |
| Whenua Patuwai | Boys (Frost) | 5 | "When a Man Loves a Woman" | Safe |
| Tom Batchelor | Boys (Frost) | 6 | "Feeling Good" | Safe |
| Cassie Henderson | Girls (Bedingfield) | 7 | "I Say a Little Prayer" | Safe |
| Moorhouse | Groups (Blatt) | 8 | "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" | Safe |
| Fletcher Mills | Boys (Frost) | 9 | "Ain't No Sunshine" | Eliminated |
| Jackie Thomas | Girls (Bedingfield) | 10 | "Son of a Preacher Man" | Safe |
| Final showdown details |||||
| Act | Category (mentor) | Order | Song | Result |
| Maaka Fiso | Over 25s (Walker) | 1 | "Is This Love" | Eliminated |
| Gap5 | Groups (Blatt) | 2 | "Turning Tables" | Safe |

##### Judges' vote to eliminate

* Walker: Gap5 - backed his own act, Maaka Fiso.
* Blatt: Maaka Fiso - backed her own act, Gap5.
* Bedingfield: Maaka Fiso - felt Gap5 would sell records.
* Frost: Maaka Fiso - felt Gap5 were better suited to the competition.

#### Week 5 (16/17 June)

* Theme: Top 40
* Musical guests: Sons of Zion ("Superman") and Jamie McDell ("Life in Sunshine")
Acts' performances on the fifth live show :
| Act | Category (mentor) | Order | Song | Result |
| Cassie Henderson | Girls (Bedingfield) | 1 | "Pompeii" | Safe |
| Moorhouse | Groups (Blatt) | 2 | "#thatPower" | Safe |
| Whenua Patuwai | Boys (Frost) | 3 | "Impossible" | Safe |
| Anna Wilson | Over 25s (Walker) | 4 | "Radioactive" | Bottom Two |
| Benny Tipene | Boys (Frost) | 5 | "Lost" | Safe |
| Gap5 | Groups (Blatt) | 6 | "Blurred Lines" | Bottom Two |
| Jackie Thomas | Girls (Bedingfield) | 7 | "Stay" | Safe |
| Tom Batchelor | Boys (Frost) | 8 | "Ho Hey" | Safe |
| Final showdown details |||||
| Act | Category (mentor) | Order | Song | Result |
| Gap5 | Groups (Blatt) | 1 | "No Diggity" / "Thrift Shop" | Safe |
| Anna Wilson | Over 25s (Walker) | 2 | "Imagine" | Eliminated |

##### Judges' vote to eliminate

* Blatt: Anna Wilson - backed her own act, Gap5.
* Walker: Gap5 - backed his own act, Anna Wilson.
* Frost: Anna Wilson - felt Wilson did not have a clear identity.
* Bedingfield: Anna Wilson - felt Gap5 had more potential as popstars.

#### Week 6 (23/24 June)

* Theme: Songs from movies
* Musical guests: Dane Rumble ("Not Alone") and Reece Mastin ("Rock Star")
Acts' performances on the sixth live show :
| Act | Category (mentor) | Order | Song | Movie | Result |
| Tom Batchelor | Boys (Frost) | 1 | "All Day and All of the Night" | The Boat That Rocked | Bottom Two |
| Cassie Henderson | Girls (Bedingfield) | 2 | "A Thousand Years" | The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 | Safe |
| Whenua Patuwai | Boys (Frost) | 3 | "I Wish" | Happy Feet | Safe |
| Benny Tipene | Boys (Frost) | 4 | "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" | 10 Things I Hate About You | Bottom Two |
| Gap5 | Groups (Blatt) | 5 | "Paper Planes" | Slumdog Millionaire | Safe |
| Jackie Thomas | Girls (Bedingfield) | 6 | "Lovefool" | Romeo + Juliet | Safe |
| Moorhouse | Groups (Blatt) | 7 | "Take It Easy" | Mt. Zion | Safe |
| Final showdown details ||||||
| Act | Category (mentor) | Order | Song | Song | Result |
| Tom Batchelor | Boys (Frost) | 1 | "Whole Lotta Love" | "Whole Lotta Love" | Eliminated |
| Benny Tipene | Boys (Frost) | 2 | "Can't Help Falling in Love" | "Can't Help Falling in Love" | Safe |

##### Judges' vote to eliminate

* Frost refused to send home either of her acts.
* Blatt: Benny Tipene - felt his heart was not in it.
* Bedingfield: Tom Batchelor - gave no reason.
* Walker: Tom Batchelor - gave no reason.

#### Week 7 (30 June/1 July)

* Theme: Made in America
* Musical guests: Aotearoa Reggae All Stars ("Sensitive to a Smile") and Manic Street Preachers ("If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next")
Acts' performances on the seventh live show :
| Act | Category (mentor) | Order | Song | American Artist | Result |
| Moorhouse | Groups (Blatt) | 1 | "OMG" | Usher/will.i.am | Safe |
| Jackie Thomas | Girls (Bedingfield) | 2 | "Toxic" | Britney Spears | Safe |
| Whenua Patuwai | Boys (Frost) | 3 | "Empire State of Mind" | Jay-Z/Alicia Keys | Safe |
| Cassie Henderson | Girls (Bedingfield) | 4 | "Love Story" | Taylor Swift | Bottom Two |
| Gap5 | Groups (Blatt) | 5 | "Bills, Bills, Bills"/"Independent Women" | Destiny's Child | Bottom Two |
| Benny Tipene | Boys (Frost) | 6 | "California" | Phantom Planet | Safe |
| Final showdown details ||||||
| Act | Category (mentor) | Order | Song | Song | Result |
| Gap5 | Groups (Blatt) | 1 | "Locked Out of Heaven" | "Locked Out of Heaven" | Eliminated |
| Cassie Henderson | Girls (Bedingfield) | 2 | "The Climb" | "The Climb" | Safe |

##### Judges' vote to eliminate

* Blatt: Cassie Henderson - backed her own act, Gap5.
* Bedingfield: Gap5 - backed his own act, Cassie Henderson.
* Frost: Gap5 - felt their recent performances had been unprofessional.
* Walker: Gap5 - felt Henderson still had a lot of potential.

#### Week 8: Quarter-Final (7/8 July)

* Theme: Coke Choice (songs from act's year of birth, as chosen by public online vote)
* Musical guests: Daniel Bedingfield ("Every Little Thing") and Timomatic ("Parachute")

##### Coke Choice

Songs performed during week eight were chosen by public vote from a shortlist of three songs from the contestant's birth year. Voting was done via The X Factor Facebook page, running from 17 to 29 June.
Key:
    – Chosen Song
| Act | Category (mentor) | Birth Year | Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3 |
| Cassie Henderson | Girls (Bedingfield) | 1998 | "Torn" | "I'll Be" | "You're Still the One" |
| Moorhouse | Groups (Blatt) | 1993 | "I Swear" | "All For Love" | "When Can I See You" |
| Whenua Patuwai | Boys (Frost) | 1995 | "I'll Make Love to You" | "You Are Not Alone" | "Holding on to You" |
| Jackie Thomas | Girls (Bedingfield) | 1990 | "Black Velvet" | "Roam" | "It Must Have Been Love" |
| Benny Tipene | Boys (Frost) | 1990 | "Free Fallin'" | "Nothing Compares 2 U" | "Another Day in Paradise" |
Acts' performances on the eighth live show :
| Act | Category (mentor) | Order | Song | Result |
| Jackie Thomas | Girls (Bedingfield) | 1 | "Black Velvet" | Safe |
| Whenua Patuwai | Boys (Frost) | 2 | "You Are Not Alone" | Bottom Two |
| Benny Tipene | Boys (Frost) | 3 | "Free Fallin'" | Safe |
| Cassie Henderson | Girls (Bedingfield) | 4 | "Torn" | Bottom Two |
| Moorhouse | Groups (Blatt) | 5 | "I Swear" | Safe |
| Final showdown details |||||
| Act | Category (mentor) | Order | Song | Result |
| Whenua Patuwai | Boys (Frost) | 1 | "I Believe I Can Fly" | Safe |
| Cassie Henderson | Girls (Bedingfield) | 2 | "Skyscraper" | Eliminated |

###### Judges' vote to eliminate

* Bedingfield: Whenua Patuwai - backed his own act, Cassie Henderson.
* Frost: Cassie Henderson - backed her own act, Whenua Patuwai.
* Walker: Cassie Henderson - gave no reason.
* Blatt: Whenua Patuwai - felt the business would be too harmful for Patuwai.
With the acts in the bottom two receiving two votes each, the result went to deadlock deadlock and reverted to the earlier public vote. Cassie Henderson was eliminated as the act with the fewest public votes.

#### Week 9: Semi-Final (14/15 July)

* Themes: Love and heartbreak; the best of rock
* Musical guests: Stan Walker ("Inventing Myself") and Ginny Blackmore ("Bones")
Acts' performances on the ninth live show :
| Act | Category (mentor) | Love And Heartbreak | Love And Heartbreak | The Best Of Rock | The Best Of Rock | Result |
| Act | Category (mentor) | Order | Song | Order | Song | Result |
| Jackie Thomas | Girls (Bedingfield) | 1 | "Angel" | 7 | "Wonderwall" | Safe |
| Benny Tipene | Boys (Frost) | 2 | "Boxes" (original) | 8 | "Sweet Child o' Mine" | Safe |
| Moorhouse | Groups (Blatt) | 3 | "When I Was Your Man" | 5 | "Use Somebody" | Eliminated |
| Whenua Patuwai | Boys (Frost) | 4 | "If You're Not the One" | 6 | "Piece of My Heart" | Safe |

##### Notes

* For the first time this series, each act performed two songs.
* The semi-final did not feature a final showdown and instead the act with the fewest public votes, Moorhouse, was automatically eliminated. After their elimination, Moorhouse performed "Mirrors".

#### Week 10: Final (21/22 July)
##### 21 July

* Themes: Judges' choice; duets
Acts' performances on the Sunday Final :
| Act | Category (mentor) | Judges' Choice | Judges' Choice | Duets | Duets |
| Act | Category (mentor) | Order | Song | Order | Song |
| Jackie Thomas | Girls (Bedingfield) | 1 | "Next to Me" | 5 | "Getting Stronger" (with Adeaze) |
| Whenua Patuwai | Boys (Frost) | 2 | "I Won't Give Up" | 4 | "Bathe In the River" (with Hollie Smith) |
| Benny Tipene | Boys (Frost) | 3 | "Laura" | 6 | "Love Love Love" (with Avalanche City) |

###### Notes

* In the duets section, acts duetted with a New Zealand artist, singing a previous hit for that artist.

##### 22 July

* Musical guests: The top 13 contestants ("Get Lucky") and Guy Sebastian ("Get Along").
Acts' performances on the Monday Final :
| Act | Category (mentor) | Audition Song | Audition Song | Winner's Single | Winner's Single | Result | Votes |
| Act | Category (mentor) | Order | Song | Order | Song | Result | Votes |
| Benny Tipene | Boys (Frost) | 1 | "Hey Ya!" | N/A | N/A (already eliminated) | Eliminated | 99,302 |
| Whenua Patuwai | Boys (Frost) | 2 | "A Change Is Gonna Come" | 4 | "Something Special" | Runner-Up | 197,523 |
| Jackie Thomas | Girls (Bedingfield) | 3 | "Skinny Love" | 5 | "It's Worth It" | Winner | 257,151 |

###### Notes

* For the first time this series there was no theme.

## Ratings

The grand final decider episode on Monday 22 July had a cume (cumulative audience) of 1,326,000 viewers in the 5+ demographic and an average audience of 598,100. During the series, 3,285,500 viewers watched the show at some stage.

### N.Z. Nielsen ratings
#### Colour key

    – Highest rating during the season
    – Lowest rating during the season
| Ep. # | Episode | Airdate | Timeslot | Average Viewers | Rank (Night) | Time Shifted Viewers | Rank (Night) | Ref |
| 1 | Auditions 1 | Sunday April 21, 2013 | 7:00 - 8:30pm | 467,360 | #4 | 15,280 | #7 | |
| 2 | Auditions 2 | Monday April 22, 2013 | 7:30 - 8:45pm | 449,740 | #6 | 17,480 | #9 | |
| 3 | Auditions 3 | Sunday April 28, 2013 | 7:00 - 8:45pm | 446,890 | #4 | 20,360 | #5 | |
| 4 | Auditions 4 | Monday April 29, 2013 | 7:30 - 8:45pm | 426,170 | #6 | 27,010 | #4 | |
| 5 | Bootcamp, Part 1 | Sunday May 5, 2013 | 7:00 - 8:40pm | 380,110 | #4 | 20,460 | #6 | |
| 6 | Bootcamp, Part 2 | Monday May 6, 2013 | 7:30 - 8:40pm | 331,880 | #7 | 19,700 | #3 | |
| 7 | Judges Retreats, Part 1 | Sunday May 12, 2013 | 7:00 - 8:40pm | 395,500 | #4 | 33,020 | #1 | |
| 8 | Judges Retreats, Part 2 | Monday May 13, 2013 | 7:30 - 8:40pm | 317,010 | #10 | — | — | |
| 9 | Live Show 1 | Sunday May 19, 2013 | 7:00 - 9:20pm | 401,840 | #4 | 31,590 | #1 | |
| 10 | Live Results 1 | Monday May 20, 2013 | 8:00 - 9:10pm | 384,450 | #6 | 18,990 | #6 | |
| 11 | Live Show 2 | Sunday May 26, 2013 | 7:00 - 9:20pm | 456,610 | #4 | — | — | |
| 12 | Live Results 2 | Monday May 27, 2013 | 8:00 - 9:05pm | 376,840 | #7 | — | — | |
| 13 | Live Show 3 | Sunday June 2, 2013 | 7:00 - 9:15pm | 319,000 | #5 | — | — | |
| 14 | Live Results 3 | Monday June 3, 2013 | 8:00 - 9:05pm | 363,980 | #6 | — | — | |
| 15 | Live Show 4 | Sunday June 9, 2013 | 7:00 - 9:15pm | 412,850 | #3 | — | — | |
| 16 | Live Results 4 | Monday June 10, 2013 | 8:00 - 9:05pm | 396,700 | #7 | — | — | |
| 17 | Live Show 5 | Sunday June 16, 2013 | 7:00 - 8:45pm | 473,320 | #3 | — | — | |
| 18 | Live Results 5 | Monday June 17, 2013 | 8:00 - 9:05pm | 356,850 | #9 | — | — | |
| 19 | Live Show 6 | Sunday June 23, 2013 | 7:00 - 8:40pm | 431,200 | #3 | — | — | |
| 20 | Live Results 6 | Monday June 24, 2013 | 8:00 - 9:05pm | 399,070 | #7 | — | — | |
| 21 | Live Show 7 | Sunday June 30, 2013 | 7:00 - 8:30pm | — | — | — | — | — |
| 22 | Live Results 7 | Monday July 1, 2013 | 8:00 - 9:05pm | 402,280 | #6 | — | — | |
| 23 | Live Show 8 | Sunday July 7, 2013 | 7:00 - 8:20pm | 397,930 | #4 | — | — | |
| 24 | Live Results 8 | Monday July 8, 2013 | 8:00 - 9:05pm | 409,120 | #6 | — | — | |
| 25 | Live Show 9 | Sunday July 14, 2013 | 7:00 - 8:20pm | 366,100 | #3 | — | — | |
| 26 | Live Results 9 | Monday July 15, 2013 | 8:00 - 9:05pm | 281,440 | #12 | — | — | |
| 27 | Grand Final Performances | Sunday July 21, 2013 | 7:00 - 8:35pm | 453,020 | #3 | — | — | |
| 28 | Grand Final Decider | Monday July 22, 2013 | 7:35 - 9:40pm | 598,100 | #2 | — | — | |